From: "Walter R. Mattfeld" <mattfeld12 AT charter.net>
To: <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [b-hebrew] Children bear punishment for sins of fathers ?
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 08:28:05 -0400
I thank all for the many contributions and insights on this issue. I recall
that the Classical Greeks had a similar notion. Some histories and plays
(so-called "Tragedies") mention a curse befalling a "house" and its
"descendants" for the sins of some remote ancestor. Some have suggested this
notion was developed to reign in the avarice and greed of the sinner. That
is to say, he might curb his anti-social behavior being aware that it would
affect not just himself but his "innocent" future descendants who would
also pay or suffer for his crimes. We know, from archaeology that the Greeks
have a long connection via trade with the ancient Near East, their wares
being found in ancient Egypt, Syria, and Canaan from Late Bronze Age to Iron
Age times. Perhaps this notion of innocent children (descendants) being
punished for some remote ancestor's trespass or sin, was part of the
religious "baggage" of the Late Bronze Age (1560-1200 BCE) and Iron Age
(1200-587 BCE) worlds ?
Regards, Walter
Walter Reinhold Warttig Mattfeld y de la Torre, M.A. Ed.
mattfeld12 AT charter.net
www.bibleorigins.net
[b-hebrew] Children bear punishment for sins of fathers ?,
Walter R. Mattfeld, 04/20/2005